Montreal Zombie Walk 2017: The Undead Unite

Don't miss the Montreal Zombie Walk this October 28, 2017. Details on when and where it's happening as well as how to prep for the event are further below.

Montreal Zombie Walk: In the Beginning

What started out as a small, grass roots, flash mob gathering of people in 2008 turned huge by 2011, becoming an undeniable highlight of Halloween in Montreal. And by 2013, the crowd reached the ranks of five figures, 10,000 undead roaming the streets with apocalyptic abandon.

Montreal Zombie Walk 2017: How Does It Work?

Running October 28, 2017, joining the Montreal Zombie Walk is easy. Just show up in appropriate zombie attire at the time and place announced by organizers and ... walk.

Montreal Zombie Walk: Where?

The rendez-vous point in recent years has been Place des Festivals. Whether that's a repeat for 2017 will be confirmed as we close in on the Halloween season.

Montreal Zombie Walk: When?

Usua...MORElly zombies meet up at the rendez-vous point around 1 p.m., with the mob departing from Place des Festivals around 4 p.m. roaming the streets of Montreal for about 90 minutes, then returning to Place des Festivals by 5:30 p.m. Details for 2017 will be confirmed as we close in on the Halloween season.

Montreal Zombie Walk: Do I Have to Dress Up as a Zombie?

Kinda. Yeah. It's not like you'll be turned into zombie fodder for surrounding undeads if you don't. It's just, as organizers phrased it, "if half the people are just following around without a costume, there’s no point being in a zombie walk."

Montreal Zombie Walk: How Do I Do My Makeup?

It's easier than you think. I asked zombie/Montreal native Jessica Cloutier (above photo) what went into her look after spotting her promoting the zombie walk at Montreal Comiccon.

Apart from color contact lenses, she said that all she needed was a mix of oatmeal and tissue paper glued to her face with liquid latex to create the illusion of mangled flesh and open wounds. Then she applied corn syrup reddened with dye to mimic blood as well as a dab of red lipstick here and there for added effect. Finally, to accentuate her deadness, she dabbed a layer of gray body paint cream on her skin, cream easily found at your local dollar store or one of these Montreal costume shops.

Montreal Zombie Walk: Can Someone Else Do My Makeup?

In organizers' words, yes, you can be 'zombified' at the Halloween Expert tent from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for $15 (tip not included), adding ''it’s better to come early because we do not take reservations. Don’t forget to bring old clothes." The tent is located at the Zombie Walk rendez-vous point, which in recent years has been Place des Festivals. Prices and hours of operation for 2017 to be confirmed as we close in on Halloween.

Is the Montreal Zombie Walk Safe for Kids?

I would say yes, though the question you have to ask yourself is whether your kids are comfortable with the undead. Some of the zombies on site can look pretty scary. Keep scrolling to see photos for an idea.